Judge Me

"The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me." (Psalm 7:8)

Stop and think about this for a moment. Not only is the Psalmist willingly and knowingly asking God to judge his righteousness and integrity, but he is asking God to do so against His righteousness and integrity, not against some other man. No, this is not an issue of pride for the Psalmist, quite the opposite. And the Psalmist knows that he must pay the consequence of any and all shortcomings. He knows this, but asks God anyway.

As Solomon wrote in the Book of Proverbs, “Iron sharpeneth iron” (Proverbs 27:17).

Our standard should always be God and His word. The Psalmist is offering to God both his righteousness and his integrity to be proved and reproved.

Yes, this will be painful, for all sin and shortcomings come with consequence. There are always shavings when iron sharpens iron. These shavings are nothing more than iniquities that interfere with the sharp edge of righteousness. Remove the iniquities and you have a perfect edge and a sword fit for a king.

Carnal man runs from judgement. But the righteous man asks for it, runs towards it, and welcomes it.

Bill Hitchcock